Brownback bill benefits farmers and the environment

Brownback bill benefits farmers and the environment

Thursday, June 7, 2001

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A bill recently introduced to the Senate would not only reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but also provide monetary support and incentives for farmers to practice conservation on their croplands.

By combining conservation with economic benefits, this bill has the potential to make a difference for the environment and agriculture, according to the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), a national public/private partnership working for agricultural conservation.

The Domestic Carbon Conservation Incentive Act provides national criteria and financial incentives for carbon storage practices in the United States. Introduced by Sen. Sam Brownback, (R-Kan.) last month, S. 785 would amend the Farm Bill to establish a carbon storage program, similar to the Conservation Reserve Program, that pays landowners and operators to hold carbon in the soil instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.

"This bill gives U.S. farmers the opportunity to protect America's natural resources, and, return, it rewards them for doing so," said Bruno Alesii, chairman of CTIC, which is based in West Lafayette, Ind.

Under the Brownback bill, agricultural producers can receive up to $20 per acre for voluntarily implementing carbon conservation practices. Conservation tillage includes a combination of no tillage and full-width tillage that leaves about 1/3 of the soil surface covered with crop residue. Every tillage stirs oxygen into the soil and results in the oxidation of organic matter. This oxidizes and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, where it contributes to global warming. In contrast, conservation tillage, especially no-till, results in less tillage, less oxidation and more carbon stored in the soil as organic matter, rather releasing it into the air, according to Dan Towery, national resources specialist for CTIC.

The crop residue on the soil surface also reduces soil erosion because it increases the organic matter levels in the soil, and provides a foundation for cleaner water.

"Cropland that isn't tilled has 90 percent less erosion than intensively tilled cropland," says Alesii. "Plus, continuous no-till can increase organic matter in the top two inches of soil by about 0.1 percent each year."

Conservation tillage is a winning practice, says Alesii. By tilling less - or not at all - soil, water and air quality improves, wildlife habitat is enhanced, soil erosion declines and farmers reduce their labor and equipment costs, as well as their fuel consumption, and spend less time in the field.

Though the benefits of conservation tillage are well documented, many farmers hesitate to change their practices. The Brownback bill provides the incentive to adopt new practices.

"More farmers will voluntary switch to conservation tillage if the financial incentive is there," says Alesii.

Conservation tillage is one practice considered in a Core 4 Conservation system, an innovative approach to agricultural management that results in better soil, cleaner water, greater profits and brighter future. CTIC coordinates the national campaign to increase adoption of Core 4 Conservation.

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